My response to this article is that this is a bad situation no matter what happens. If the situation in Syria deteriorates into a civil war, there is (as this article says) a chance of a wider conflict in the region. Instability in the Middle East is a very bad thing for the economy of the US and of the world. If the Assad regime is not overthrown, things might be better for the international community. However, this would mean that a regime that thinks nothing of attacking its own people with artillery would remain in power. Both of these are very bad options.